President Aliyev inaugurates restored home of composer Sadigjan in Shusha PHOTO

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the restored Sadigjan House, a historical and architectural monument in the city of Shusha, on July 11.

Aydin Karimov, the President’s Special Representative in the Shusha district, briefed the head of state on the restoration project, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The building suffered extensive damage during the period of occupation of Shusha, having remained neglected for many years. As a result, its roof, floors and stone masonry deteriorated significantly, parts of its architectural elements were damaged, and its engineering infrastructure became entirely unusable.

Funding for the design and restoration of the house was allocated under an order signed by President Aliyev in 2022. The residence belonged to the renowned Azerbaijani musician Mirza Asad oghlu Sadig, known as Sadigjan, a tar virtuoso, composer and innovator of the instrument.

President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the house in 2022. In 2023, the head of state reviewed the restoration concept, and work on the monument began in 2024.

Located on Sadigjan Street in Shusha, the house-museum consists of a basement and two above-ground floors. Architecturally, it features pointed-arch windows and prominent stone masonry framing the entrance. The building is included in Azerbaijan’s list of historical and architectural monuments of national significance.

Following restoration, the house-museum now includes exhibition halls dedicated to Sadigjan’s life and legacy, Azerbaijan’s national musical heritage, and Shusha’s literary and artistic traditions. The complex also comprises a concert hall, a mugham exhibition hall, a café, a souvenir shop, a reception area and a musical instrument workshop.

The head of state was also briefed on the sculpture “The voice of eternity”.

The sculpture offers a symbolic artistic interpretation of the tar, Azerbaijan’s national musical instrument. In the composition, a tree rising from the instrument’s strings symbolizes music emerging from native soil, drawing strength from the nation’s historical memory and undergoing continual renewal. The tree further represents deep roots, resilience and rebirth.

The work is dedicated to the cultural heritage of Shusha, widely regarded as the cradle of Azerbaijani music. It presents music not only as an art form but also as a symbol of national identity, spiritual values and historical memory.

The monument was created by Honored Artist Rashad Mehdiyev.